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How to Cover Acne & Basic Foundation Routine

9:00 AM

Hey everyone! Today I want to share with you my basic foundation routine as well as how I cover my post-acne hyperpigmentation. I know a lot of you wonder how it is that bloggers have such nice skin, but truthfully there is a huge misconception about how skin appears on screen versus how it is in real life. Perfect skin is so sought after yet it is so difficult to obtain that practically nobody actually has it. Not sure if that inspires confidence or frustration but it's simply the truth!

To be completely honest, my skin is by far my biggest physical insecurity and has been for so long due to my "acne trauma" which you may remember me talking about in my first Heart to Heart video. Trust me, it may appear in photos and videos like I have perfect skin but it is very far from it. In fact for the last 17 years, there has only been one time where my skin has actually been totally clear of acne (the week of my wedding, by some Godly miracle) and otherwise I typically always have a few active blemishes as well as the lovely dark marks after the acne is long gone.

I'm a big believer that everything happens for a reason and thus, I've since accepted that my acne happened, and is happening, because I now have the experience and platform to be able to share with you how to deal with your own skin problems both on the outside and on the inside as well. Lucky me. ;)

That being said, here is my basic liquid foundation routine that provides both a natural and full-coverage finish to cover up a few of those surface insecurities!

Just for the record, my bare skin here is the best it's been in a year but you can clearly still see plenty of hyperpigmentation and acne. I keep hoping I'll "grow out" of the acne-prone stage but it just never, ever happened for me. At the end of the day, I just know that I am not my acne so I have to keep looking for that silver lining. Makeup can be pretty awesome sometimes, right? :)

If any of you suffer or have suffered from acne or other skin insecurities, please feel free to share in the comments your story or any tips you may have for acne-prone skin and how to cover it without causing more breakouts. I'm actually again currently suffering from a new wave of cystic acne and small breakouts so lets all come together to encourage each other!

Acne sufferers YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!! I feel your pain! Literally, the one under my nose right now is so painful. I know you know what I mean.

My hope is that some of you found this tutorial helpful and that it aids those of you who were finding it difficult to cover spots and unevenness without that caked-on look. Thank you guys for letting me share not only my tips but also my struggles and pains as well. <3

Readers, what is your biggest skin insecurity? What are your favorite products for treating and covering blemishes? Let me know in the comments!

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you are amazing. thank you so much for the video. I have been suffering from acne last 4 years and my skin is my insecurity. I think this video is going to help me figure out how I am going to cover them up.

Really hope you can also make one for your updated mineral foundation application routine. Your previous "favorites" videos have got me really interested in the Youngblood loose mineral foundation (esp. for a light daily wear) and I'd like to see how you'd normally apply it. I've only tried liquid foundation so far, but I'm so happy that Youngblood mineral foundation has my perfect skin color match in Warm Beige.. :)

Hi Jen,Love your videos and blog. This is great helpful tutorial video. I have some dark spots around my cheek area and I will try Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer in 7 to conceal my dark spots. =} Thanks for your tips. Have a great weekend,

Hey Jen! You are such an inspiring person. Thank you for sharing your acne story. Right now I'm using BTRC's bb cream and it has medium coverage. I use liquid foundation sparingly, because I find it does clot up my pores.

Thanks for posting a great tutorial! ^________^ There's always plenty of ways people wear concealer but I like your way the best b/c it makes the most "logical" sense :) Have a good weekend! There's plenty to do in LA ^_______^

Hi Jen. Thanks for your video! you look great, and I think these products are worth trying. I've often heard that primers can clog your pores and make your acne worse. do you have any comments or tips about that? Thanks again :)

I know a lot of primers that contain silicones can sometimes cause allergic reactions & breakouts, but I haven't personally had too many issues with pores being clogged by primers. I don't use primers everyday though, so it's not enough for me to say 100% that it does or doesn't. The best thing to do is get a sample of the primer you are interested in so you can test it before buying to make sure your skin is okay with it. :)

Thank you for this. Watching your heart to heart vides were so empowering for me. I even teared up :') It is so amazing to finally see an Asian American women so proud, who knows how to do make-up on monolids!!! I really thought there would be no hope for me. Thank you. Your attitude and spirit is so inspiring and beautiful.

I also struggle with hyperpigmentation, but more so than that, I struggle with have very visible raised cystic acne pimples! I can cover the dark spots, but I feel like the bumps will always be noticeable :( Any suggestions? Also, I have trouble finding matte bb cream and foundation that fits my yellow undertoned skin...it's always a little too pink. i tried BRTC, Missha, Skin79, and Clnique (foundation and bb). BB makes my face so OILY too :(

Thank you so much. I think it can be doubly difficult being Asian with imperfect skin because there's such a stereotype for perfect Asian skin too! But I really honestly believe that REAL beauty is inside and doesn't actually change with how nice your skin is at the moment.

To answer your questions, if your skin is oily and yellow-toned, definitely try Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet+ foundation (the one I used in this video). It leaves a nice matte finish and works really well on oily skin. I know cystic pimples are so frustrating, so you can temporarily add a slightly lighter concealer to just the underside of the zit to counteract the "shaded" area, and just have foundation on the top half to blend in. If your skin gets very bad, I recommend seeing a dermatologist. Hope that helps!!!

I've struggled with acne on and off over the past couple of years - I don't know what triggers it...but this summer I had a pretty bad outbreak so I experimented with many different ways of covering acne (both mineral makeup & liquid foundation).

The product that worked the best for me was using a concealer as a foundation! And it's a MAC one too! But it doesn't aggravate my skin - and the coverage + longevity is AMAZING!

Here's the post I did with all the foundations I tried out (and before & after pics). After posting it on my blog, several of my readers reached out to me and let me know that it worked for them too!

Thanks for the great video! I have very oily skin and acne and hyperpigmentation problems so this was very helpful. I had acne as a teenager but it seems that since I've been in my late 20's, I've been getting more of the painful cystic variety!

What do you think of application using a stippling brush vs a foundation brush? Is coverage better for the former or is it just matter of preference? Also, have you used Revlon Colorstay foundation before? It seems pretty good but now I'm curious to try Make Up Forever.

Every foundation brush is of course dependent on preference and how you like applying it, but stippling brushes can give you a light, airbrushed finish while a denser brush will give you more coverage because the product doesn't get as diffused. I prefer the "sigmax" style of dense synthetic foundation brushes since you get the high coverage with the airbrushed finish.

I've only tried Revlon Colorstay Whipped foundation which I do like but it gives a white cast for film & photography. You can always ask for a sample of MUFE and test it before buying. ;)

I've struggled with acne all my life too, and I've just started to convince myself that it'll most likely be that way for very long still, so I have to stop worrying about how bad my skin looks! Right now I don't wear foundation because I just came back from a sun vacation and that helped my skin look a little better, but as soon as my skintone goes back to its natural shade I will most likely start wearing foundation and makeup again. I will most definitely keep your clockwise-counterclockwise motion tip in mind!

I have to say though, that ever since I stopped using the Tarte powder (and I had been using it for a year!), my face has been breaking out much less... I'm so bummed it didn't work out for me! I moved onto Laura Mercier now.

As for concealer, I find that Diorskin Hydrating Concealer (or something along those lines) works pretty well for undereyes!

My HG concealer for under the eyes is Sue Devitt Bermuda Triangle Concealer. There's only one color but I think that works with various skin tones, except perhaps someone who is super pale or super dark.

Jen, you are so awesome to share your struggles with acne. Thank you! I too have always struggled with acne myself and several years ago, I broke out so horribly I finally sought professional help from Face Reality Acne Clinic (located in San Leandro, CA but they also treat long distance clients). I know this sounds like a spammy commercial but please, please look them up online. You'll see from their Yelp reviews that they really do know how to treat acne, especially since that's their main focus. If you have any questions, please let me know. I'd be happy to answer them. Take care.

Thanks so much for sharing! Thanks to you I've learnt how to use eyeshadow to create different looks as opposed to just using one colour on my just visible hooded lids. I'd love to see your current routine for how you put on your youngblood mineral foundation!

i am a total newbie for make-up and i've been watching your videos to learn!i ALSO use the skin79 BB cream as an under eye concealer.the only 2 that i've tried is the benefit ooh la lift (looks TERRIBLE on asians!! so unnatural, i think it looks best on white/fair skinned ppl)

and Lancôme Effacernes Waterproof Protective Undereye Concealer. i think it does a really really good job!! i always feel the need to photoshop out my under eye circles, but i do not need to do any of that at all for the lancome!!!

they have 2 colors that are light and medium bisque with a slight yellow hue to it, which i think makes it blend into asian skin flawlessly! mine at least. you still have the option of choosing a color slightly lighter than your natural skin color for the brightening effect if you prefer as well!

Hi Jen! Can I have a recommendation on drugstore foundation & concealer? I've tried the revlon colorstay foundation but I really hate the packaging! I know this is unrelated to the topic, but do you prefer Benefit's Hervana or Coralista blush? I've been enjoying your videos since I have monolids too. So, thanks a lot for the videos, Jen. Really appreciate your hard work :)

If you haven't tried Neutrogena healthy skin foundation, it's a natural-looking drugstore option (althought not great for oily skin). Still on the hunt for a "perfect" drugstore concealer but I've heard good things about NYX's and Maybelline's.

Coralista is by far my fav Benefit blush! Hervana is a little too pale for me so I have to load it up to show the color. Hope that helps!

Hi! I have also suffered from acne since I was about 13 (I'm now 21) and it really is horrible. I have felt so many times that the acne is restricting me by giving me a lower self-confidence and making me say no to things just because of my insecurity. I came to a point where I felt like I couldn't handle it anymore, so after trying every single treatment I am now taking Roaccutane, the strongest medicine there is against acne.

It is really working for me and although I'm still under treatment for about 3 months more, I have noticed a huge difference in my skin and my confidence. I really appreciate when beauty bloggers like you are honest about your "issues" instead of letting girls chase the ideal forever. You have inspired me a lot and I actually think I now have the courage to write an article about my acne problems on my website. Thank you!

Alice, I highly encourage you to share your experience. The more we reach out to others and talk about life and all its complications honestly, the less insecure and lonely we will feel. We are, after all, just human. :)

Thank you so much for doing this! I was looking for a good liquid foundation brush, and was surprised that this Sigma brush is only $18! I had been looking at some that were $40! *shocking* So so SO helpful!! katejones.me

Jen, I love your videos and you're so inspiring! <3 I suffer from horribly painful cystic acne too. It would be different if it were just unsightly, but the fact that it hurts and is painful most of the time is what gets me the most. I have the most cystic acne on my upper shoulders and I will get it on occasion on some spots on my face like; my forehead around my hair line, around my nose and on my chin, and it ALWAYS hurts -___-;; I have been going to the dermatologist for a while and am currently on prescriptions acne washes. I was taking an antibiotic for the cystic flare ups, but decided to stop taking it. (I don't like pumping my body full of medicine). I am currently seeking natural or home remedies for my breakouts. It sucks, but at least it's on my shoulders where no one can see right? So far the most important steps I've taken to deal with the cysts is seeking professional help, NO picking, drinking lots of water, and if it does pop or burst (gross I know, but we all know that happens) naturally, I try to treat it as if I would a wound to avoid scarring. I bandage it up and disinfect it the way I would if I got a cut. Obviously, you can't really do that with the cysts on your face, but it has helped with scarring, but I still suffer from keloidal scarring too. There really is no way to deal with a cyst on the face, but to just ride it out and most importantly do not touch it! (lol sorry this was long winded) XD Anywho, if anyone is dealing with cystic acne, it's no fun, but there are options! <3

Thank you for sharing your experience and recommendations! I agree with treating acne, especially body acne, as if it were a wound. In essence, you are treating an infection so we always need to be extra hygienic around acne and try to cause as little irritation as possible for less scarring. Good luck with your natural approach and let us know how it goes!

Hi Jen, I am in my mid-30's and noticed a resurgence of acne last year that was bad enough to get me on a prescription topical acne medication. I had just stopped breast-feeding my second child and noticed the acne would be worse at certain times of the month and was mainly on my chin. I did some research online and decided to try eliminating dairy from my diet. My son has a dairy allergy, so I thought that maybe I have some sort of sensitivity that was causing the breakouts. I immediately saw a difference after a few days and once I reintroduced it, I broke out again. My skin is much calmer now without dairy intake. I have read of dairy being a factor in hormonal acne, so it might be worth a try. Thank you for the wonderful tutorial.

Thank you for sharing your amazing tips! I too suffer from acne and post-acne hyperpigmentation and I totally understand your pains!

I've been trying out Paula's Choice 2% Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Liquid for about 6 months now and my skin is much better than before. I still get the occasional spots here and there and am still dealing with the scarrings but I'm really happy. Takes some time to figure out the best regime along with the product as it can be a little bit drying even for oily skin types.

I blogged about it some time back, check it out if you want to. Love you, keep smiling ^^

Hi Jen, I learnt to accept my über oily and acne prone skin over time, even though when those hormonal ones erupted at the same time I feel that my self confidence is on the lowest point. I love MUFE Mat Velvet+ as well, and saving to buy the full cover concealer :)

I use Paula's Choice BHA Gel in my night time routine but it gets tricky during winter time because dry patches also don't look nice topped with foundation :P well, i try to make do. Love your videos btw :)

I'm so glad you shared this, especially today as I'm having a terrible breakout. It's nice to see others understand that it's not just about the looks, but the physical pain too. I've had cystic acne forever and am not growing out of it either. I picked up a concealer you recommended in another video, from Nars, and it is great. I still remember your first heart to heart, and it was so touching. Thank you for being brave enough to share your insecurities with the whole internet!

As a young woman in my twenties who has always suffered from acne, this was very helpful. My skin is by far my biggest insecurity. I have yet to have much success with any foundation, but I'm excited to try your suggestions to help get my coverage down! I agree, primer is a must.

I have already blogged about this but never made a really full analysis of what I've used and found out.My skin has always been prone to break outs so I was desperate for a solution to that problem. Saw my dermatologist, used the recommended ointments and vitamins but nothing seemed to help. Temporary reliefs but no ultimate resolution.

Until I cancelled all make up and foundation! Honestly, this was the only way.After I stopped using powders, foundations, mineral powder, bb-creams (yeah, you can see I've tried it all) I realised my skin doesn't need any of that.

What it needs is proper cleanse and moisturiser. I have tried Clarins cotton cleanser, Erno Laszlo system, Bioderma Sebium line etc etc

What works best for me is iHerb soap with sulphur (bear in mind my Asian skin) and Hada Labo hyaluronic lotion and Rapid Exfoliator from Holy Land. =)

I've recently switched to Neutrogena's 3-in-1 Concealer for Eyes and really like the results so far. I just did a post in it here: http://bit.ly/WMg1bH.

As for blemishes, I'm loving all Mario Badescu products. I alternate between their drying mask and healing & soothing masks depending on the severity. I also use their buffering lotion for those pesky cystic acne that I get on the sides of my nose. I still get them, but they're a lot smaller, not nearly as painful, and don't stick around for long. I would definitely check that out. I also use their acne facial cleanser and special cleansing lotion c. I have combination oily skin.

I've tried the Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion but I feel like it works really awesome for some people and doesn't work for others. Unfortunately, it didn't have much effect on my cysts but Mario Badescu Drying Lotion is a product I swear by for both cystic and non-cystic acne and I looooove it! :)

I have a similar story to ruthyz, above. I never had acne growing up, but started to in my early 30s. It can be so frustrating when you try everything to clear it up! I also cut down on dairy and saw an immediate change! I never have had any digestion issues with dairy/lactose, but met another woman who found that dairy caused her to breakout. I cut out yogurt, milk, cheese, cottage cheese, but wasn't so strict about butter in cooking or baked goods. Within days I noticed my breakouts clearing up. I recommend trying it for a few weeks. I am Asian and most Asians are lactose intolerant, even if we don't manifest digestion issues. Good luck and thanks for your great posts!

hi jen! i really love all your makeup tutorials! i've really learned so much about how to apply makeup by simply watching your videos!

but i have a QUESTION! like you i've always suffered with acne and have had so many issues controlling it....makeup of course has been an issue as well because i want to find the right products that will not break me out even more...currently i am using the smashbox bb cream, acne foundation from clinque, tarte finishing powder and stay matte pressed powder...should i change up my routine? is clinique a good brand for acne? and i noticed in your video you didnt use a pressed powder...is that not necessary? sorry for all the questions! haha but finding the right routine for acne has been such a stress! thanks for the help!

Pressed or non-pressed, powder usage is dependent on your level of oiliness. It was a must-use when my skin was oily! Lately my skin has become much drier and I haven't needed to use it as often. I haven't tried many Clinique foundations so I can't say how well they work for acne, but in general I find the best foundation for acne-prone skin is mineral foundation. I use liquids only when I need to. ;)

Hi Jen, great video! I've suffered from acne since I was in my teens and have finally nailed down a makeup routine similar to the one you use. I use Revlon Age Defying Moisturizing Concealer as an undereye concealer - it doesn't work well for concealing acne but it does work well under eye since it's not as drying.

Question though - have you noticed your MUFE concealer causing additional acne? I've been using it for 2-3 years now to spot conceal acne and I've found after about a year I tend to buy a new tube even though there's quite a bit left, just because I suspect its causing more acne.

Thanks so much for your videos! I am new to makeup and it would be really nice to have a tutorial comparing: foundation/powder vs mineral vs bb cream. Is there one you prefer for different situations? Do you just use primer for foundation/powder and if you use it for the other two, can you use the same kind?

Thanks for the video! I do enjoy watching your vids even though I usually only have enough time for the basics in the morning :pI have green veins under my eyes and I've tried so many concealers to try to cover them. I'm currently using Clinique's undereye concealer and layering on Skinfood's salmon undereye concealer. While it still doesn't cover the veins completely, it's the best combination I've found so far

Thanks for your video Jen! I am totally insecure about my skin. I used to have a lot of acne issues, but those are subsided a bit and now replaced with tons and tons of sunspots. I'm not sure how I got them since I wear sunscreen everyday. I stopped using Retinol even, but my skin just looks worse and worse and I don't think there's anything except for spending lots of money on either peels, IPL, laser, to remove it. I don't want to keep on putting make up to mask it (and in fact, I don't, but when I examine my skin in the mirror, I seriously hate my face). Even my brother has commented about all the spots on my face and he says I look so much older. And I notice when I take pictures of my face, they are so horribly prominent. I don't enjoy having these freckles at all and look at people with such clear skin like some of my friends with much envy.

Thank you for being so open about your skin concerns, I cant put into words how encouraging it is to read that someone suffers the same kind of problems post teen yrs! You always do look so flawless in your photos but yet you are so honest here. Thanks Jen.

I have had acne since puberty and it has gotten better through the years but I always have small bumps especially on my forehead. I have been using Vichy normaderm , the night one and the anti imperfection concentrate, they do help control a lot (save for monthly hormonal periods). It's not too expensive too!

For skin concerns I'm less worried about my skin now but I am very self conscious about my dark circles. I've had them apparently since I was a kid! A couple of friends said maybe when eyes are bigger, more skin area? Haha. I like Chanel's tube concealer, I dont remember its name. I use no 10.

But like you said, I'm trying to work on how I am inside and not bother too much about how I look on the outside. God made us and everything He makes is good. :)

Thanks for your video, Jane. Please could you help giving more information for the brush you use when you apply the liquid foundation? It is better with a picture and link where I can buy one. Many thanks

Probably the most troubling aspect of acne is that even after the over-sized pimples on your skin shrink down to size, you might be left with annoying bright red scarring.These scars can remain on your skin for quite a long time unless you have an effective treatment system to aid in fading the scars away. This means you need to purchase the best acne scar treatment available on the market. healthcareguru here

Dear Jen who gets prettier from head to toe,i've been wathcing your videos for the past few years and i always love your final look which never look too 'over' always classy and natural :)

i have problems in finding the right foundation for my oily combination skin, i dont want the foundation that looks too dry because it has a higher oil control and i want it to be good enough to control my sebum.

my skin tone is NC 30 and i hope you can recommend me a good foundation (which is the most important, doesnt look cakey) i dont really need a high coverage for the foundation and a little spf, a primer for my oily skin, concealer and powder.

your guide must be so helpful to me, as i'm a little desperate in purchasing the ysl le teint touche eclat foundation which doubled up my sebum :(

Generally, foundations that have better oil-control tends to be "drying" but my personal current fav is Neutrogena Healthy Skin foundation. It has a dewy finish but if you blot shortly after applying, after it sinks in, it can work on oilier skin types as well. When I layer over the Hourglass Veil mineral primer the combo is lovely! Try shade 06 which is what I use!

I recently came across this video on youtube and have been watching your other tips religiously. Thank you so much! I'm doing this new thing where I actually take time to do makeup instead quickly rushing through it on the metro! I have been using makeup forever foundation for a year now and love it! I've been looking﻿ for a brush to apply it with, specifically the sigma flat kabuki (F80), but I noticed you used the round one (F82). I was just wondering, why do you recommend the round instead of flat? The sigma website recommends the flat for blending liquid and the round for mineral.

Thank you!

PS- I've been using the make up forever﻿ HD concealer for my under eye area. LOVE IT!

I use pretty much all of the Sigmax brushes interchangeably, whichever brush is clean, and they work well for both liquid and mineral. I just tend to like the rounded edges for liquid makeup since in my brain I imagine it blending smoother. Hahaha! :)

Hi,Jen!! I am with you. I have been suffering for acne since early 20s. For last few years, it was ok except some scars but I have started getting cystic acne sine last year. I've got one around my chin now(thankfully, it's getting smaller). And I have been using Seabuckthorne oil by Sibu from Amazone. Even though it is oil, it is for sensitive and acne-prone skin. Actually it helped my acne sacrring a lot(Im not sure if you heard about it or not) and other spots as well. In my opinion, it is better to take some medicine for cystic acne. Also, I always use a tool(acne extractor?) when I squeeze a pimpe myself and then I cover up with specific thing called 3M Tegasorb (Hydrocolloid patch or 네오덤 (korean brand). It is a very small round patch. It works amazingly!!In the US, it is way too expensive so I always ask for my friend who vists Korea, something like that. Anyway, I wanted to share with you something that helped me and might be interested in you. And I always enjoy watching your video. Thanks, Jen <3 from Liv.

I use the Citrus Clear Grapefruit Spot Treatment for layering under makeup products. Not only does the ph make the salicylic acid effective (and it is a pore clearing agent and is great for sensitive skin) but it contains green tea. The gel formulation means that it can be spread easily - I don't like liquid formulations. And the price is right - only $12!

Washing yourself with regular soap is a good idea. However, it would be an even better idea to use an anti-bacterial soap that will kill many of the germs on the surface of the skin. While this type of soap may be a little more costly, the investment is worth it. healthcareguru helpful site

I use Citrus Clear's face wash before applying makeup. It has definitely helped reduce my acne, and leaves my skin refreshed. On occasion I will use Citrus Clear at night after removing makeup, if I wore my makeup for longer than usual. It should work for you too - and it has no harmful chemicals and is super gentle!

Hi Jen,I have blemishes and acnes on my face. Currently I use Clinique 3 step acne solutions systems and Blemish control primer from Smashbox. However, whenever I applied any moisturizer or primers that contains 2% salicylic acid, it made my make up to rubbed off/feel off right away. Do you have any tip for using acne products ?thank you!

Thanks for sharing such helpful posts here. Whether or not you have acne, it's important to wash your face twice daily to remove impurities and to make youthful and of course healthy. helpful genf20 plus site

Acne, pimples, blackheads - all over my face was with them, I do not know what to do, try different creams andlotions that are advertised on television - did not help. But on the Internet I found this technique,now my face is clear without acne. Thanks to this technique, I recommend trying all who have problemshttp://uac2930.blogspot.com/

About me

Hi, I'm Jen! I've been blogging and making youtube videos since 2008 and have loved encouraging others to feel beautiful in their own skin ever since. I hope you enjoy my beauty tips and reviews, style inspiration, and a bit of my life as a wife and mother!